"The Coast Guard does not allow lenses to be stored in lighthouse lantern rooms, where they're exposed to environmental factors -- such as the extremes of light and humidity -- that can deteriorate lenses."

I do understand the concern about this lens. Perhaps Coast Guard Curator Arlyn Danielson should be equally concerned about the very many Fresnels of all sizes still in operation in lighthouse lantern rooms around the country that are exposed to these and more environmental factors. Are these lenses being maintained according to curatorial standards? Not likely.

There appears to be bureaucratic hypocrisy here; do as we say but don't do as we do.

My computer just dumped an entire rant, and I don't feel like repeating myself. The Cape Mendocino lens is in terrible shape, the "lantern" is nothing more than a glass box which has had problems, and all the superglue and magic potions in the world can't replace a professional restoration. The lens has lost several bullseyes, and most of the litharge is shot. Do you want it done cheap, or done right?! I know, it's not about the artifact; it's who can do it cheapest, and who's congressman has more power than the Coast Guard. There's a lot more to this stupid story, trust me. And I was one of the other lampist who incorrectly diagnosed the condition of the lens last summer. I guess if you hire enough "professionals", sooner or later one of them will tell you what you really want to hear; doesn't have to be accurate, just more convienent.

This smells as bad as what's going on with the Peanut Corporation of America. Don't like your salmonella test results, test again from a different area of the batch until you get one that you like and then ship the crap.

In a letter to Parrish dated April 22, Coast Guard Capt. Ronald Labrec wrote that the lens is in an “unsuitable and unsafe environment,” and there has not been enough progress made to remedy the situation. Thus, the Coast Guard plans to soon end the loan of the historic lens

”That history will certainly be lost if it is moved,” Humboldt County Fair Manager Stuart Titus said……

Finally seems like somebody is making some sense....And surprise, it's the Coast Gaurd.

That fellow can chain himself to the structure as long as he wants…Still doesn’t stop the fact that the lens is in danger….Seems to me that the city & county have had more than adequate time to effect repairs to ensure the lens’ safety and have failed to do so…If the aim is to preserve valuable history, the lens should be removed and stored in a safer environment….Just hoping the Coast Guard can provide that.